The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-11
THE THEATRICAL PEOPLE.
Arranging n Plan by Which They Hope t
Obtain Cheaper Transportation

Arranging a Plan by Which They Hope to
Obtain Cheaper Transportation
CHICAGO. April 9.-The managers and other
representatives of the different theatrical inter.
ests met at Hooley's Theater. to-day. to take
action designed to avert the disastrous effects to
travelling companies by the interstate railroad
law. Colonel McCaull occupied the chair, and
about thirty other managers and representatives
Of different theaters in Chicago were present. c.
H. Mcconnell read the report of the COMMITTEES
appointed at Thursdays meeting. which recon-
mends that permanent organization be effected
for the purpose of carrying a vigorous hight
for existence The name recommended for the
organization was the National Amusement Pro-
tective Association. to have its headquarters in
Chicago The committee also presented a
memorial or petition to the Interstate railroad
Commission. Copies of this are to be- sent to
every theater and theatrical company ID the
country, with instructions for each employe. or
member, or any person interested in the welfare
of the theatrical profession. TO mail one TO tho
secretary of the Railroad Commission at Wash
ington. The result of putting this plan in opera
tion, the committee said, would be that the
commissioners would soon have 10000 petitions
per day pouring in on them. The report OF the
committee was adopted David Henderson was
chosen president and Charles H. Williams Sec
retary.
The petition which will be sent to the Rail-
road Commission asks that the provisions Of the
new law, applied to the amusement profess
sion, be suspended .fo- twenty DAYS, for the rea-
son that all existing contracts between travelling
companies and local managers were entered into
before The law was passed. The petition also
asks the commission ro SO interpret the law as to
permit railroad companies to make reduced rates
for theatrical parties of not less than ten per-
aud increase the allowance of baggage
with concessions for carloads Of scenery. The
petition thus presents the situation it affects
the theatrical business: There are about 500
organized com binatons constantly travelling
Including circnsesl. which employ in the aggre-
gate upwards of 10000 adults. There up.
wards Of 3 500 theaters, opera houses and places
of amusement in the United States, giving en-
ployment TO about &c. 600 persons. These local
amusement places cannot exist nor any return
the immese capital invested therein
be had, except through the cooperation
Of the 500 travelling combinations playing
engagements throughout the year in the respect
i've houses There are at least $4,000 persons
employed in collateral branches, mainly depend
ent on show business" SO called, such as print
ers, costumers. bill-posters, painters, man
ufacturers Of theatrical wares and merchandise
generally. 1t is reasonable assumption that
there quarter of million people who are
dependent for their support upon the labors OF
the Is 600 adults above mentioned as being en-
ployed IN the amusement profe ession.
1t is estimated that The amount of money paid
by the amusement companies annually to the
railroad companies is upwards of 81 500. 600.
Under the interstate com merce law this amount
would be increased by at least $1,000 00o-pro
vided the same number OF persons travelled
heretofore, with the same amount of baggage,
scenery, etc. This increased expense represents
far more than the aggregate profit of all the lead
Ing amusement enterprises combined.